NFL coach's son sees Cornhuskers

Josh Harvey

04/08/2011

Highlands Ranch (CO) quarterback Steve Donatell has the intangibles that college coaches like. Right now, he's taking his visits and his time. Last weekend, the junior was in Nebraska for spring practices. What did he think? It's all inside.

Highlands Ranch (CO) quarterback Steve Donatell has the intangibles that college coaches like.

At 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, and a history for high football IQ in the family, Donatell should have options at the end of his recruitment.

His older brother Tom, is a defensive back for Iowa. His father Ed, is a long-time assistant in the NFL, and is currently the secondary coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

Last weekend, Steve traveled to Lincoln to take in the Nebraska campus. The junior signal-caller sent his game film to the coaching staff months ago and heard back from them.

"They invited me to spring ball and they said hopefully they can work something out where they can either come see me throw or I can be in one of their camps," said Donatell to Scout.com. "Nebraska is definitely up there, but they have been recruiting me very long either.

"I really enjoyed my visit. We had a tour guide that showed us everything. I really saw everything I needed to see. The facilities were exceptional. I was really impressed with everything, including the academic center. That is really important to my family and me. I couldn't stay the whole time for their practice, but from what I saw I liked it a lot."

Donatell is reporting no favorites right now, but does admit there are "schools he likes better than others," one of which being Nebraska.

"They have always been up there," said the junior.

Last season, Donatell passed for 1,008 yards while rushing for 536 on the ground. With a passing completion rate of 62%, it's safe to assume Highlands Ranch will be throwing more in 2011.

So what he would tell coaches about his game if they asked?

"I would say three things. One is my leadership, two is my accuracy, and three is my willingness to put the team first," said Donatell. "I definitely want to stay at quarterback; I would be open to playing receiver. I used to play when I was younger, but quarterback is my first priority."

With his brother Tom at Iowa, many have wondered whether the University of Iowa would be in on his recruitment, but at this point they have not been heard from.

"From what I know, they haven't really been recruiting me. Hopefully they will look at my tape, I think I'm a guy that could fit into their system. But, as far as recruitment, nothing much from them."